Painting your house is one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform its appearance and increase its value. Whether you want to refresh your interior walls, add some curb appeal to your exterior, or do both, you need to choose the right paint for the job. But what are the differences between interior and exterior paints, and why does it matter? In this post, we will explain the significance and inclusions of interior and exterior paint, and how to use them properly for your house painting project.
Significance of Interior and Exterior Paints
Interior and exterior paints are not interchangeable. They are formulated differently to suit different purposes and conditions. Using the wrong type of paint can lead to poor results, wasted money, and potential health risks.
1. Interior Paints
Interior paints are formulated for indoor surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, doors, and trim. They offer a smooth, even, and resilient finish that can resist frequent cleaning and minor wear and tear. They also have low-odour and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) properties to ensure a healthy indoor air quality.
Interior paints typically contain a higher latex content compared to exterior paints. This increased latex content enhances their flexibility, reducing the likelihood of cracking or peeling over time. They also have less pigment and solvent than an exterior paint, which results in better colour accuracy and consistency. However, this also implies that they have less coverage and durability than an exterior paint, and may need more coats to achieve the desired look.
2. Exterior Paints
Exterior paint is made for outdoor surfaces, such as the walls, fences, decks, and roofs of your house. They help to shield the outside of your house from the weather, such as rain, snow, wind, sun, and temperature changes. They also have to prevent fading, chalking, mildew, and insects from damaging the paint.
Exterior paints contain more pigment and solvent than interior paints, which makes them more effective and long-lasting. They also have more ingredients than interior paints, such as thickeners, levelling agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, and biocides. These assist with the spreading, sticking, shining, and mildew protection of the paint. However, this also means that they have a stronger smell and more VOCs than interior paints, which can be bad for the environment and your health if you don’t use them correctly.
Inclusions of Interior and Exterior Paints
When you buy paint for your house painting project, you need to consider not only the type of paint (interior or exterior), but also the quality, finish, colour, and quantity of the paint. Here are some tips on how to choose the best paint for your needs:
1. Quality
The quality of the paint influences how well it works, how long it lasts, and how it looks. In general, higher quality paints contain more pigment and resin than lower quality paints. This means that they cover better, stick better, keep their colour better, and resist cracking or peeling better. Higher quality paints also usually have fewer VOCs than lower quality paints.
The price of the paint usually shows its quality. However, you should not make your choice only based on the price of the paint. You should also think about the long-term advantages of using a higher quality paint. For example, a higher quality paint might need fewer coats to get the same effect as a lower quality paint. This can potentially result in long-term time and cost savings.
2. Finish
The finish of the paint refers to its sheen or gloss level. The finish affects not only the appearance of the paint but also its durability and maintenance. There are different types of finishes available for both interior and exterior paints. Some of the most common ones include:
- Flat or matte: This finish has no shine or gloss. It is ideal for hiding imperfections on the surface or creating a cosy atmosphere. It is also simple to make adjustments if necessary. However, it is not very durable or washable. It is best suited for low-traffic areas or ceilings.
- Eggshell or satin: This finish has a slight shine or gloss. It is ideal for creating a soft and elegant look. Besides that, it is also fairly durable and washable. It is best suited for moderate-traffic areas or walls.
- Semi-gloss or gloss: This finish has a high shine or gloss. It is ideal for highlighting details or creating a bright and lively look. Apart from that, it is also very durable and washable. It is best suited for high-traffic areas or trim.
The choice of finish depends largely on your personal preference and style. However, you should also consider the condition of the surface you are painting on. For example,
Note: When choosing a finish for your surface, consider its texture and exposure. Smooth and even surfaces allow for various finishes, while rough or uneven surfaces benefit from flat or matte finishes to conceal imperfections. For surfaces prone to moisture or dirt, opt for a semi-gloss or gloss finish to resist stains and simplify cleaning. Selecting the appropriate finish ensures both aesthetics and practicality for your project.
3. Colour
Choosing the right colour for your house paint is crucial. It impacts the mood, atmosphere, and perceived size of your space. Consider these guidelines to ensure the best colour choice for your painting project. General guidelines for choosing the best colour for our house painting project:
- Warm colours, like red, orange, yellow, or brown, can create a sense of warmth and cosiness while stimulating energy and excitement.
- Cool colours, like blue, green, purple, or grey, can create a sense of coolness and calmness, while evoking feelings of sadness or detachment.
- Neutral colours, like white, black, beige, or cream, can create a sense of balance and neutrality, while lacking personality and interest.
- Complementary colours, like green and red, or purple and yellow, can create a contrast and interest in a space, while also clashing and creating tension.
- Analogous colours, like blue and green, or orange and yellow, can create harmony and unity in a space, while also being boring and monotonous.
The choice of colour also depends on the style and architecture of your house. For example,
- If you have a traditional or colonial house, you should use classic colours such as white, grey, or navy. These colours can create a sense of elegance and sophistication, and match well with the architectural features of your house.
- In case you have a modern or contemporary house, you should use bold colours such as black, red, or yellow. These colours can make a statement, show off your creativity and flair, and contrast well with the sleek and minimalist design of your house.
- If you have a rustic or farmhouse house, you should use natural colours, such as brown, green, or cream. These colours can create a cosy and warm atmosphere, and blend well with the organic and rustic elements of your house.
4. Quantity
The quantity of paint you need depends on the size and condition of the surface you are painting on. To estimate the amount of paint you need, you can use this simple formula:
- Multiply the length and height of each wall to get the area in square feet.
- Add up the areas of all the walls to get the total area in square feet.
- Divide the total area by 350 (the average coverage of one gallon of paint) to get the number of gallons you need.
However, this formula is only an approximation. You may need more or less paint depending on the following factors:
- The quality of the paint: Higher quality paints usually have better coverage than lower quality paints.
- The colour of the paint: Darker colours usually require more coats than lighter colours.
- The finish of the paint: Glossier finishes usually require more coats than flatter finishes.
- The condition of the surface: Rougher or uneven surfaces usually require more paint than smoother or even surfaces.
To be on the safe side, you should always buy 10% more paint than you think you need. This will allow for some margin of error and prevent you from running out of paint in the middle of your project.
Conclusion
Painting your house is a great way to improve its appearance and value. However, you need to choose the right paint for the paint job, since Interior & exterior paints are not the same. They have different ingredients, properties, and purposes. By understanding the significance and inclusions of interior and exterior paint, you can make an informed decision and achieve the best results for your house painting project.
